“Lines on a certain philosopher, who maintains that all continents and islands were thrown from the sea by volcanoes; and that all animal life originally sprung from the exuviæ of fishes. His family arms are three scallop shells, and his motto, “Omnia e Conchis.”

“From atoms in confusion hurl’d,

Old Epicurus built a world;—

Maintain’d that all was accidental,

Whether corporeal powers, or mental;

That feet were not devised for walking,

For eating, teeth; nor tongues for talking;

But CHANCE, the casual texture made,

And thus each member found its trade.

And in this hodge podge of stark nonsense,